170 



MANUAL OF MODERX FARRIERV. 



any appearance of inflammation, bleeding at the toe a:id 

 opening medicines must be resorted to. 



CORNS 



Cause. — This disease has acquired a name which but ill 



expresses its nature. It bears but little affinity to corns 



of the human foot ; although, like them, they are the effects 



of pressure. Instead of being hard as in the human subject, 



they are thin and very Aveak, and caused by pressure on the 



sole in the angle between the bars, as represented, plate 6, 



fig. 12, c c. The horn becomes more spongy and softer 



than at other parts, and it is so sensitive, that upon the 



slightest pressure the liorse indicates that he feels pain. 



When the foot becomes contracted, that portion of the sole 



.intervening between the external crust wdiich is wiring in 



and the bars which oppose that contraction are squeezed 



very severely, which induces inflammation ; and hence it is 



tliat feet which are contracted are almost certain to be 



afflicted with corns. The effects of this pressure induce a 



small quantity of extravasated blood, and the horn being 



secreted in less quantity and of a more .spongy texture, 



it has the tendency to enclose within it this extravasated 



blood. 



Nothing is more injurious than to allow a shoe to remain 

 too long on, as it is suro to become embedded in the heel 

 of the foot ; consequently the crust grows down on the 

 outside of it, and the bearing is thus thrown on the angular 

 portion of the sole Continued pressure on the sole is 

 certain to induce inflammation and corns. The shoe being 

 long on, wears and gets loosened at the heels, which admits 

 of gravel between it and the crust, and having accumulated 

 in the angle it naturally insinuates itself into the heel, and 

 produces a sore. 



